Consumers look beyond sugar reduction as focus on metabolic health grows, says Tate & Lyle report

London, UK 21 July, 2026: Tate & Lyle PLC (Tate & Lyle), a global leader in ingredient solutions for healthier food and beverages, has identified that a growing focus on metabolic health is creating new opportunities for food and beverage manufacturers. This comes as consumers, retailers and policymakers increasingly look beyond sugar reduction towards broader measures of nutritional wellbeing.

That is the conclusion of a new report from Tate & Lyle, Future-Proofing Nutrition: Designing Products for Lifelong Metabolic Wellness, which explores how advances in nutrition science, changing consumer expectations and evolving regulation are reshaping product development strategies across the food and beverage industry.

The report highlights a growing awareness of the relationship between diet, blood glucose management and long-term health outcomes. According to figures from the World Obesity Federation, more than half of the world's population is projected to be living with overweight or obesity by 2035, while 530 million adults globally are already living with type 2 diabetes¹. At the same time, consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of the impact food choices can have on blood glucose levels, with 65% of European consumers recognising that sugary foods can contribute to unhealthy blood sugar spikes².

Alongside these trends, manufacturers face increasing pressure to improve nutritional profiles in response to measures such as High in Fat, Sugar, or Salt (HFSS) restrictions and sugar reduction initiatives, while continuing to deliver the taste, texture and eating experience consumers expect.

The report argues that addressing these challenges requires a broader approach to reformulation, with greater focus on nutrients and ingredients that can support healthier dietary patterns.

One of the report's key themes is the role soluble fibre can play in helping manufacturers meet multiple nutritional objectives simultaneously. As well as helping increase fibre intake, soluble fibre can support sugar reduction strategies and help moderate post-meal blood glucose responses, making it an increasingly important consideration in the development of products designed to support metabolic health.

This is particularly relevant given the significant gap between recommended and actual fibre consumption. In the UK, adults consume an average of just 16.4g of fibre per day, compared with the recommended intake of 30g³, highlighting the opportunity for food and beverage brands to help consumers increase fibre intake through everyday products.

Dr Pippa Gibson, Nutrition Business Partner EMEA at Tate & Lyle, said: “Our understanding of metabolic health has evolved significantly in recent years. Rather than focusing on single nutrients in isolation, there is growing recognition of how overall dietary patterns can support long-term health, including healthier blood glucose responses and increased fibre intake.

“This presents an important opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers. Reformulation is no longer just about reducing sugar. It is about creating products with improved nutritional profiles that continue to deliver the taste and texture consumers expect.

“Soluble fibre has an important role to play because it can help manufacturers address several nutritional priorities at once. By supporting fibre enrichment, enabling sugar reduction and helping to moderate post-meal blood glucose responses, it offers a practical way to develop products that better align with evolving consumer needs and public health priorities.”

Drawing on scientific evidence, consumer insight and application expertise, the report explores how food and beverage manufacturers can incorporate metabolic health considerations into product development strategies across categories including bakery, dairy, beverages and confectionery.

To read Future-Proofing Nutrition: Designing Products for Lifelong Metabolic Wellness in full, click here.

ENDS